The Risk to Avoid

“There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing” – Denis Waitley, author of the Psychology of Winning

It’s no accident that one of the most popular subjects for motivational quotes is risk. A fear of risk is a major barrier to success and something many of us struggle with.

The not-for-profit sector tends to be particularly risk adverse. Maybe it is a result of limited resources, fear of donor scrutiny or not wanting to divert money from the cause. Whatever it is, this fear is stopping organisations from taking the risks they need to grow, ultimately limiting their impact and ability to achieve their vision.

Now I am not suggesting that you should throw caution to the wind and pump money you don’t have into a venture with no guarantee of success. What I am advocating is for more not-for-profits to raise their sights and make their dreams a reality through calculated risk. Whether you are just starting out, looking to implement a new fundraising program or establish a campaign or event, a Feasibility Study is the most effective was for you to manage the risk associated with your new endeavour. A Feasibility Study allows you to “test the waters” before you take the plunge and gather vital information that will enable you to advance with confidence.

As well as helping you to calculate risk, a Feasibility Study is an excellent way to engage your stakeholders and take them on your journey. It can help get a reluctant or cautious leadership over the line or prevent you from making a costly mistake.

Conducting feasibility studies is one of O’Keefe and Partners core services. We have been undertaking them on behalf of our clients for more than 20 years and earned an excellent reputation for reports that are insightful, relevant and most importantly honest. In preparing a Feasibility Study we work closely with our clients and their key stakeholders to gather the relevant information which we then combine with an external perspective gained through our Giving Trends research.

If you have a dream you would like to realise and are ready to take a risk, call us on 1300 721 799 or email enquiries@okp.com.au to find out more about conducting a Feasibility Study.